Metal Collecting Tank for a Heat Exchanger, Especially for Motor Vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a metal collecting tank ( 1 ) for a heat exchanger, especially for motor vehicles. Said collecting tank is produced by non-cutting shaping from a steel sheet blank, preferably an aluminum sheet, and the collecting tank ( 1 ) comprises two approximately parallel sidewalls ( 1 c, 1 d ) and narrow walls each and an upper side ( 1 b ) and at least one connecting piece ( 3 ). According to the invention, the at least one connecting piece ( 3 ) is configured as one piece with the collecting tank ( 1 ) and is shaped from the steel sheet blank.

1 . A metal collecting tank for a heat exchanger, especially for motor vehicles, capable of being manufactured in particular by non-cutting shaping from a sheet metal blank, preferably an aluminum sheet, the collecting tank in each case exhibiting two long sides and narrow sides arranged approximately parallel, as well as an upper side and at least one connecting piece, wherein the at least one connecting piece is executed in a single piece with the collecting tank and is capable of being formed from the sheet metal blank. 
   
   
       2 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connecting piece is arranged on the upper side. 
   
   
       3 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connecting piece is arranged on one long side. 
   
   
       4 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connecting piece exhibits a circular cross section and an approximately cylindrical form. 
   
   
       5 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connecting piece exhibits an encircling bead that is capable of being manufactured in particular by upsetting. 
   
   
       6 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the at least one connecting piece exhibits an external diameter D and a length L, and in that the proportion of L/D lies in the range from 0.8 to 1.0, and preferably 0.9. 
   
   
       7 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the diameter D lies in the range from 15 to 20 mm, and the sheet metal blank exhibits a metal sheet thickness in the range from 0.5 to 2.0 mm. 
   
   
       8 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the length L lies in the range from 15 to 20 mm, and the sheet metal blank exhibits a metal sheet thickness in the range from 0.5 to 2.0 mm. 
   
   
       9 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the bead exhibits an external diameter D s , and in that the proportion of the bead diameter D s  to the diameter D of the connecting piece is in the order of 1.3. 
   
   
       10 . The collecting tank as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connecting piece is capable of being connected via a pipe coupling to a heating or cooling circuit of a motor vehicle.